BEQUESTS

The lasting impact of bequests—both large and small—has helped shape the Bennington Rescue you know today. For friends and family of Bennington Rescue, a charitable bequest is the easiest and best way to make a gift. By means of your will or other estate plan, you can name Bennington Rescue as the beneficiary of a portion of your estate, or of assets in your estate. Many of the most powerful gifts with an enduring impact have been bequests. You may create a separate fund named for yourself or in the name of someone you wish to honor. This visibility also encourages others to give.

There are many reasons to make a bequest. A bequest allows you to honor a loved one, while providing critical support to Bennington Rescue. Giving by bequest costs nothing now, yet it may give you a great deal of satisfaction to know that your future gift will live on.

Bequest of Property – Give specific assets, such as securities, real estate, or tangible personal property (for example, works of art or antiques).

Residuary Bequest – Give all or a percentage of the remainder of your estate after the payment of any specific bequests and expenses.

Retirement Plan – We can be the designated beneficiary of the remainder of your IRA, qualified pension, or profit-sharing plan.

Charitable Lead Trust - A lead trust can be established through a bequest. Bennington Rescue receives income for a term of years from the trust, after which the assets pass to your beneficiaries, often at a much-reduced tax cost.

Charitable Gift Annuity - Using a charitable gift annuity, the donor receives a set income on money given to Bennington Rescue and a tax deduction up front as well.

Charitable Remainder Trust - A trust can be established that provides a donation at a set time in the future that yields a deduction up front.

What can I support?

General Operations – It takes a great deal of money to ensure that Ambulances are available when people need them. Bequest to the General Operations and allow Bennington Rescue to put your gift where it is needed most.

Ambulance Purchase – Ambulances today cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. A new ambulance by itself (i.e. no equipment) costs OVER $200,000.

Medical Equipment – The lifesaving heart monitors, IV pumps, suction units, mechanical CPR devices, stretchers, stair chairs, ventilators, glucometers, pulse oximeters, just to name a few can cost multiple thousands of dollars up to tens of thousands of dollars for just one heart monitor.

Scholarships – Sending a person to Paramedic School, which today is a 2-year program costs over $25,000.

Facilities – We are always looking for ways to improve our facilities and have the best use for our space.

Off Road Rescue – When you get hurt in the wilderness, and it is difficult to get to you, we are there. Insurances do not pay for off road rescue, we do it because it is the right thing to do.

Health Promotion – Keeping people healthy and at home is one of our initiatives.

How can I set up a bequest?

Simple! Include the following language in your Will.

I give to the Town of Bennington Rescue Squad, Inc. a Vermont nonprofit corporation that is recognized as exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code, with it’s principal offices at 120 McKinley Street, Bennington, VT 05201, [all (or___ percent] of my estate] or [the sum of $_____] to be used for it’s general operations [or specific item].

Do you have further questions?

You are welcome to contact us with any questions you may have. Bennington Rescue will be happy to tell you the needs we have and to assist you in any way we can. However, the person or attorney drafting your will should have the best information to make sure that your wishes are granted. Please contact your attorney and tax counsel to ensure that your gift has the impact you desire.